Developmental Times of Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at Constant Temperatures and Applications in Forensic Entomology |
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| Authors: | Yong‐qiang Yang MD Xue‐bo Li MD Ru‐yue Shao MD Zhou Lyu MD Hong‐wei Li MD Gen‐ping Li MD Lyu‐zi Xu MM Li‐hua Wan BM |
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| Institution: | 1. Shanghai Key Laboratory of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Science, Ministry of Justice, Guangfuxi Road NO. 1347, Putuo District, Shanghai, 200063 China;2. Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Yixueyuan Road No. 1, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016 China;3. Key Laboratory of Evidence Identification in Universities of Shandong Province, Shandong University of Political Science and Law, Jiefangdong Road NO. 63, Lixia District, Jinan, 250014 China;4. Clinical Medical School, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Daxuecheng Road NO. 82, Shapingba District, Chongqing, 401331 China;5. Department of Forensic Medicine, Institute of Forensic Science, Chongqing Public Security Bureau, Tongkang Road NO. 1, Beibei District, Chongqing, 400070 China;6. Daping Hospital, Research Institute of Surgery, Third Military Medical University, Changjiang Road NO. 10, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400042 China;7. Additional information and reprint requests:;8. Li‐hua Wan, B.M.;9. Professor;10. Department of Forensic Medicine;11. School of Basic Medical Sciences;12. Chongqing Medical University;13. Yixueyuan Road No. 1;14. Yuzhong District;15. Chongqing 400016;16. China;17. E‐mail: |
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| Abstract: | The characteristic life stages of infesting blowflies (Calliphoridae) such as Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) are powerful evidence for estimating the death time of a corpse, but an established reference of developmental times for local blowfly species is required. We determined the developmental rates of C. megacephala from southwest China at seven constant temperatures (16–34°C). Isomegalen and isomorphen diagrams were constructed based on the larval length and time for each developmental event (first ecdysis, second ecdysis, wandering, pupariation, and eclosion), at each temperature. A thermal summation model was constructed by estimating the developmental threshold temperature D0 and the thermal summation constant K. The thermal summation model indicated that, for complete development from egg hatching to eclosion, D0 = 9.07 ± 0.54°C and K = 3991.07 ± 187.26 h °C. This reference can increase the accuracy of estimations of postmortem intervals in China by predicting the growth of C. megacephala. |
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| Keywords: | forensic science forensic entomology
Chrysomya megacephala
postmortem interval isomegalen diagram isomorphen diagram thermal summation model |
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